Baby boy exposed to pepper spray during family dispute in Pontiac

Family fight breaks out, pepper spray used in Pontiac home spreads to baby

A 1-year-old boy was exposed to pepper spray during a family dispute in Pontiac.

The homeowner told police the fight started when her brother and his girlfriend were asked to move out of the home. Regina Lanehart says she was only trying to help her when she allowed them to live in her basement.

"I am Christian. I do help people from time to time. Give them somewhere to stay," said Lanehart.

But when she came home Monday night, she says, she found her brother and his girlfriend drunk.

"They were drinking and smoking around the baby. I told them to leave and they got in my face," she said.

That's when the pepper sprayed came out. Lanehart said she used the spray in self-defense against her brother's girlfriend.

"The pepper spray traveled. So it wasn't intentional for the baby to be harmed," she said.

The 1-year-old baby boy, lying close by, breathed in some of the fumes from the pepper spray. He had to be rushed to the hospital.

"I love the little baby. I had no intentions of hurting the baby, " said Lanehart

In the end Child Protective Services were called. The father ended up in jail for outstanding warrants.

Lanehart says this incident won't detour her from opening up her home to the less fortunate.

The baby was transported to St. Joseph's Hospital and is listed in stable condition.

Copyright 2012 by ClickOnDetroit.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.